Cpap.com prescription no longer valid?

[babydinosnoreless]

Just tried to buy a mask from cpap.com and it says my prescription is no longer valid. I didn't think supply prescriptions expired when not using insurance.

[Pugsy]

It depends on what is written on the RX that cpap.com has on file.
Some docs write an expiration date on the RX.
Even when not doing the insurance thing the online sellers have to abide by whatever is written on the RX.

Example...mine says 99 years so I am good for a long time.

But docs are getting more and more used to putting a time limit on scripts and that is often 12 months.

Do you have a copy of what cpap.com has on file? Have you looked at it?

[chunkyfrog]

FYI: 99 months is a bit over 8 years,.
It can extend your life beyond that--and has.

[lazarus]

Will my old RX work for purchasing?

Will an old prescription meet requirements or do I need a new one?

(Last updated 10-23-2020)

Some prescriptions are written for a "Lifetime Need" or "99 Months" and can be used to get the prescribed equipment as often as needed to continue therapy.

If a prescription notes a number of refills, it will be valid to dispense the listed equipment the referenced number of times. If a prescription notes an expiration date, it is valid through the listed date.

We will gladly review a prescription for you to determine its condition.

Found by going to https://www.cpap.com/cpap-faq and then clicking on the clipboard-and-cross icon for "Prescriptions."

[babydinosnoreless]

It depends on what is written on the RX that cpap.com has on file.
Some docs write an expiration date on the RX.
Even when not doing the insurance thing the online sellers have to abide by whatever is written on the RX.

Example...mine says 99 years so I am good for a long time.

But docs are getting more and more used to putting a time limit on scripts and that is often 12 months.

Do you have a copy of what cpap.com has on file? Have you looked at it?

I do have a copy and no I haven't looked at it yet. Thought it would be easy peasy just use my telehealth and get a script. Apparently not, they told me I had to see my primary, who If I can get in, will want to send me to a sleep doc. Sheeze people I'm not asking for a control I just wanted an extra as I left the one I bought in Nevada at my daughter's house so I had a spare there. Guess I'll order from the store in Nevada and have her pick it up and bring when she comes for Thanksgiving. I'm not jumping through the medical machine hoops.

Edited : just looked and my prescription did have a one year expiration date.

[sptrout]

A few months ago, when trying to purchase a new APAP from our friends at cpap.com, I was told that my prescription was no longer valid, no reason offered. I did some fast fact checking and found out that the doctor who wrote the RX several years ago had died and therefore any prescriptions written by him was no longer valid. A CSR at cpap.com sent me a form for my current doctor to easily write a new one. After bugging his office staff he finally filled out the form and returned it. So I have a new RX from a doctor that had nothing to do with my sleep study.

Sadly, I also found out that my original doctor had died from COVID and that he was a nationaly known expert in treating COVID. He was only in his mid- fifties.

[chunkyfrog]

Since the prescription, as stored on the site, is itself a COPY,
you might consider making yet again another copy, (how will anyone know?)
and changing the date, etc. before uploading.
Not really fraudulent, because you are PAYING for the merch--just skipping
the being screwed part. But zip your lip, and mind to your health.
A lie is not really a lie when it bypasses another dishonest practice.
Stealing from a thief can be a virtue.
I "illegally" lived in an apartment off-campus when in college, by claiming my landlady was my aunt.
The greedy residence halls were the only losers, and who cares?

[babydinosnoreless]

Since the prescription, as stored on the site, is itself a COPY,
you might consider making yet again another copy, (how will anyone know?)
and changing the date, etc. before uploading.
Not really fraudulent, because you are PAYING for the merch--just skipping
the being screwed part. But zip your lip, and mind to your health.
A lie is not really a lie when it bypasses another dishonest practice.
Stealing from a thief can be a virtue.
I "illegally" lived in an apartment off-campus when in college, by claiming my landlady was my aunt.
The greedy residence halls were the only losers, and who cares?

While I would love to do as you are suggesting. I am a pharmacy tech and I could lose my license. It's not worth taking that risk. I am not yet old enough to claim Dave's retirement benefits. Once I retire I will keep that in mind for the future.

[amenite]

Dentists can write these prescriptions right? Ask your dentist. I see mine twice a year anyway. I was fortunate my sleep doctor's PA wrote my paper prescription with no date on it many years ago. She was pretty young so will probably outlive me too.

[Okie bipap]

Have you tried finding one on EBAY? I have seen several different masks listed as mask frame, but include the entire mask. If all else fails, you can always buy the mask kit (frame and cushion) and a seperate headgear. This does not require a prescription.

[babydinosnoreless]

Have you tried finding one on EBAY? I have seen several different masks listed as mask frame, but include the entire mask. If all else fails, you can always buy the mask kit (frame and cushion) and a seperate headgear. This does not require a prescription.

Thanks. I've checked amazon but didn't think of ebay.

[lazarus]

When I wanted to try a different form of PAP, I simply called my primary doc's office to ask them for a generic CPAP Rx that I could use to get supplies from CPAP.com. Got it same day.

[babydinosnoreless]

When I wanted to try a different form of PAP, I simply called my primary doc's office to ask them for a generic CPAP Rx that I could use to get supplies from CPAP.com. Got it same day.

My primary says I have to go to a sleep doc. I say screw that. They can kiss my behind. I'm not paying $80 to see a specialist for 2 seconds so they can write me a script with an expiration date. I'll do amazon, ebay or marketplace. I will not be held hostage to the medical dictators. When they ask me at my next appointment, if I'm still using my pap I'll tell them no, because they refused to write me a prescription. They have no way to know differently. I'm really all done with playing nice.

[Pugsy]

When I wanted to try a different form of PAP, I simply called my primary doc's office to ask them for a generic CPAP Rx that I could use to get supplies from CPAP.com. Got it same day.

My primary says I have to go to a sleep doc. I say screw that. They can kiss my behind. I'm not paying $80 to see a specialist for 2 seconds so they can write me a script with an expiration date. I'll do amazon, ebay or marketplace. I will not be held hostage to the medical dictators. When they ask me at my next appointment, if I'm still using my pap I'll tell them no, because they refused to write me a prescription. They have no way to know differently. I'm really all done with playing nice.

I feel your frustrations. I am in the process of doctor shopping ...again. I got a new PCP last year in August. Never did really like her and then she really pissed me off last month so now I have an appt for a new PCP. Remains to be seen how much or if I like him.

You know if you shop smart you can just buy out of pocket and save yourself a bit of money (maybe) and a big headache (for sure)....will likely help you keep your blood pressure down as well.

A word about eBay...watch closely and frequently then if you see something you want snatch it up immediately.
Those "kits" offered as replacement parts so no RX but they are full complete mask kits...those will get pulled if someone reports it and sometimes even the replacement parts only offers get pulled.
So don't dally if you want something. Been there and done that which is why I warned you.

The frame itself will last forever with common sense care....the headgear and/or cushions will get tired after a bit so you will want spares.
Shop smart and buy in bulk if offered at a good price. A long time ago when I was using the Swift FX (nasal pillow) I wanted to stock up and I stumbled on someone selling 6 of the replacement pillows for 30 bucks total for all and that included postage.
That's a no brainer. So sometimes there some killer deals.

[lazarus]

My primary says I have to go to a sleep doc.

That may be true for insurance to pay. But if doc knows you will be paying out of pocket to buy online, doc may cooperate with that approach.

CPAP.com, in their FAQs, has a list of what is acceptable to them:

The prescription can be written by any of the following care providers:
- Medical Doctor
- Doctors of Osteopathy
- Psychiatrists (MD Only)
- Physicians Assistants
- Nurse Practitioners
- Dentists
- Naturopathic Physicians

We will not accept prescriptions written by the following (unless they are a licensed MD or DO):
- Chiropractor
- Podiatrist
- Optometrist
- Psychologist